BUFFALO, N.Y. — Over the last several weeks, Team Canada head coach Dominique Ducharme has been spending an awful lot of time around his 18- and 19-year-old players — young athletes who should be in their first year of college or university right now.
Of course, they’re not. They’re all NHL prospects — academia will have to wait. But high school wasn’t that long ago. So, when asked what he stressed to his group ahead of its do-or-die world junior hockey championship semifinal against the Czech Republic Thursday night, Ducharme leaned on a fitting analogy.
“Preparation, preparation,” Ducharme said. “I always take it like — and we talked about it with the players — when you sit down at the exam and you studied, you’re like, ‘Bring it on. I know the answers.’ And we all had that feeling. But when you’re sitting down and you’re not sure and you’re hoping that the teacher is going to ask you the few questions you know, then you get nervous. Now you feel the pressure.
“Well, on our side, we prepared. We know what to do. We know how to play. And that’s what we’re going to do.”
Exam time Thursday is 8:00 p.m. ET, when Canada will try to bring an end to Czech Republic’s Cinderella run at this tournament and book a berth in Friday’s gold-medal game against either Sweden or the United States. Canada didn’t practice Thursday morning, which wasn’t a surprise, and only practised Wednesday because Tuesday’s quarter-final against Switzerland wasn’t a particularly physical game.
The good news Thursday was that defenceman Victor Mete, who has played 27 games for the Montreal Canadiens this season, will be dressed and ready to play against the Czechs. He suffered a lower-body injury late in Canada’s outdoor game against the United States last week and hasn’t played since, missing his team’s final game of the preliminary round and the quarter-final victory over the Swiss.
But after logging a full practice Wednesday, Mete reported Thursday feeling fresh, and is expected to resume being one of Canada’s top blue-liners. That means Ducharme will have a full complement of players for his team’s most important game thus far, which is a testament to how Canada’s coaching staff has navigated the tournament with several injuries to key players, including Mete, Kale Clague and Dante Fabbro.
“No setbacks, no surprises,” Ducharme said. “Full lineup. 100 per cent. That’s what we wanted to have. We managed ice time the whole tournament to make sure that guys were coming back 100 per cent. And that’s where we’re at today. That was our goal.”
Radio_Icon Radio_Icon The Jeff Blair Show Team Canada's 2017 World Juniors lineup has a lot of depth Originally aired January 04 2018
Your browser does not support the audio element.
Ducharme said Mete and his entire group would be playing full minutes Thursday, and that he’d only pull back on ice time if the game was well in hand and he didn’t want to expose certain players to injury late in an already-decided contest.
There is a quick turnaround to think about, with less than 24 hours between the conclusion of Canada’s semifinal and the beginning of either the bronze- or gold-medal game Friday. But at a tournament like this, you can’t get too far ahead of yourself.
“We’re not thinking about tomorrow, we’re thinking about tonight,” Ducharme said. “Our guys are in shape. We’ve been having days off. We’re ready for tonight. We’ll see for the other game. But I’m not worried about playing two in two. It’s just a few hours difference. I don’t think it makes an impact.”
The Czech team Canada will run into Thursday night has been the darling of this year’s world juniors, earning upset victories over Russia and Finland on its way to the semifinals. They’ve done it on the back of standout performances by Martin Necas (three goals, six assists), Libor Hajek (one goal, six assists) and Filip Zadina (five goals, one assist), who are all in the top 10 of tournament scoring.
Much of that damage has come on the power play, where the Czechs have converted on seven of 14 opportunities, with Zdina scoring four goals himself. That places added emphasis on Canada’s discipline, which was an issue earlier in the tournament but has been corrected over the last two outings.
After taking 18 penalties over its first three games, and paying for it dearly in the outdoor game versus the U.S., Canada has committed only five infractions in two games since.
The Next Ones Join Jeff Marek and Sam Cosentino for all the CHL and NHL prospect talk you can handle.
“Yeah, we’ve been good since the U.S. game,” Ducharme said. “I think we know and we understand the impact. Our players feel it. They see the margin between winning and losing at this point in the tournament is slim. We’ve got to take care of every detail. And that’s one.
“[Czech Republic] for sure have a good power play. When you get to this time in the tournament, it’s four good teams. And usually you get there with a good five-on-five game and also good special teams. They’ve been doing a good job. … But if we play the right way, we’ll be out of the box.”
Another challenge Thursday will be solving Czech goaltender Josef Korenar, who was spectacular in his team’s quarter-final victory over Finland, stopping 48 of 51 shots in regulation, and four of five in a shootout.
Korenar’s 92.2 save percentage over five games is the second-highest in the tournament, and it’s not hyperbole to say his team’s chances in this one rest almost entirely on the San Jose Sharks prospect’s shoulders.
The Czechs will no doubt be out-shot Thursday. Canada’s offensive depth — 14 different players have scored thus far — is simply overwhelming. But if Korenar can withstand the barrage and continue his brilliant play, he can keep the window to an upset open.
Asked about Korenar’s hot play, and how important getting pucks past him early would be Thursday night, Ducharme said he was urging his team to merely focus on its own play and not that of its opponents. To be the kids who prepared thoroughly for the exam, and can’t wait to see the questions.
“We don’t focus on the things we don’t control. We focus on us and the things that we control. And we believe that if we do that, results will be on our side,” Ducharme said. “We’re confident in our process and in our plan. We’re confident in each other. And that’s the way we go about every game.
“When you feel good, when you feel confident, when you feel that you’ve done your homework, that you’ve covered all your bases and checked all your boxes, then you can be yourself. And then from there, you play the game, you play it the right way, you play it hard — and good things happen.”
Canada enters the primetime semifinal at the 2018 World Junior Hockey Championship as the top-scoring team at the event. The team is averaging just under six goals per game, and put up eight on Switzerland in the quarterfinals.
A strong complement of skilled players for the Czech Republic have combined to score 22 goals in their five contests, as the team has surprised a few clubs on its way to the medal round.
Martin Nečas is one off the tournament scoring lead, while defenceman Libor Hájek leads all blue-liners in points. A third of the Czechs’ offence has come from their power play, which is operating at 50%.
This semifinal is a showdown between the two best man-advantage teams at the event, with Canada posting an even better 52.6% conversion rate while on the power play.
If it does come down to a special teams battle, the Czechs will need a better showing from their penalty kill, which has allowed the most goals of the 10 teams at the tournament. Maintaining the 66.7% efficiency they’ve had to this point won’t be enough to fend off the potent Canadian offence.
How to watch
Puck drop: 8:00 PM EST / 5:00 PM PST
In Canada: TSN1, TSN3, TSN4, TSN5 (English,) RDS2 (French)
In the United States: NHL Network
Live stream: TSNGO
Team Canada projected lineup
CAN Forwards Left Wing Centre Right Wing Left Wing Centre Right Wing #9 Dillon Dube #23 Sam Steel #25 Jordan Kyrou #12 Boris Katchouk #27 Robert Thomas #16 Taylor Raddysh #11 Jonah Gadjovich #20 Michael McLeod #19 Drake Batherson #14 Maxime Comtois #21 Brett Howden #24 Alex Formenton #17 Tyler Steenbergen
CAN Defencemen Left Defence Right Defence Left Defence Right Defence #28 Victor Mete #3 Conor Timmins #10 Kale Clague #8 Dante Fabbro #2 Jake Bean #6 Cal Foote #7 Cale Makar
CAN Goaltenders Goaltenders Goaltenders #31 Carter Hart #1 Colton Point
Team Czech Republic projected lineup
CZE Forwards Left Wing Centre Right Wing Left Wing Centre Right Wing #6 Marek Zachar #21 Filip Chytil #16 Martin Kaut #29 Albert Michnáč #8 Martin Nečas #18 Filip Zadina #15 Daniel Kurovský #22 Kristian Reichel #25 Radovan Pavlík #27 Ostap Safin #28 Petr Kodýtek #17 Kryštof Hrabík #20 Jakub Lauko
CZE Defencemen Left Defence Right Defence Left Defence Right Defence #19 Vojtěch Budík #3 Libor Hájek #11 Filip Král #23 Jakub Galvas #14 Ondrej Vála #7 Radim Salda
Canada will face Sweden in the final of the 2018 World Junior Championship after defeating the Czech Republic 7-2 in Thursday's semifinal.
Drake Batherson scored three times for Canada, with Sam Steel, Maxime Comtois, Jordan Kyrou and Boris Katchouk also tallying.
A sluggish start by the Canadians meant that it was actually the Czechs who got on the board first, with Filip Zadina scoring the game's opener early in the first period. It took Canada half of the opening frame to find their legs, with the Czech Republic coming within inches of doubling the lead on a power play before the North Americans took control of the game.
MORE: Only gold will satisfy Swedes
Steel tied the game midway through the first period before Batherson got his first of the night moments later. From then on it was all Canada as the proverbial floodgates opened on an overmatched Czech team. Zadina was the lone bright light for the Czechs, as he added a third period goal to bookend his opener and cap an impressive tournament.
MORE: Angelo Esposito's new lease on life
Canada moves on to the gold medal final against the Swedes, who dispatched the host United States 4-2 earlier on Thursday. It'll be a meeting of the two group winners from the preliminary round, with Sweden looking to remain undefeated for the entire tournament in Friday's final.
Sporting News provided live scoring updates and highlights throughout the game. Check out how it all went down below. (All times Eastern.)
SIGN UP for a free 30-day trial on DAZN. Watch select KHL games LIVE and ON DEMAND
FINAL SCORE: Canada 7, Czech Republic 2
3rd period
10:33 — The power play ends with a Canadian shot on goal.
10:30 — Not quite what I had in mind, but Timmins goes to the penalty box for hooking.
10:28 — The energy seems to have been drained from the game as the inevitable result edges closer. Of course, every time I mention that nothing has happened for a while, a goal get scored. Let's see if that works...
10:25 — Nothing comes of the Czech power play.
10:21 — Holding penalty against Canada.
10:19 — Czech Republic scores! Zadina gets his second of the game, and opportunistic goal. Canada 7-2 Czech Republic
#2018NHLDraft prospect @HFXMooseheads forward Filip Zadina follows up his own rebound and bangs in his 2nd of the game for 🇨🇿@narodnitym 🇨🇿
🏒#WorldJuniors 🇨🇿 pic.twitter.com/2MckiJ7R2M — TSN (@TSN_Sports) January 5, 2018
10:17 — Canada successfully kills the penalty, and outshoots the Czechs 3-0 in the process. It's safe to say the Czechs are out of gas.
10:14 — Batherson penalized for tripping. Czech power play upcoming.
10:10 — Canada scores! Katchouk makes something happen with a nice shot. Canada 7-1 Czech Republic
10:09 — A fairly uneventful first five minutes to the period.
10:03 — The final frame is underway.
2nd intermission
9:57 — Canada has outshot the Czechs 25-14.
9:49 — While we're waiting for the third period to begin, have a look at how Sweden won the earlier semifinal against the U.S.
HIGHLIGHTS: A strong Swedish @Trekronorse team stays undefeated and beat host @USAHockey 4-2 in the semi-finals to play for gold tomorrow! Watch here the best sequences from the game. More on https://t.co/ICLuruWPk3 #WorldJuniors #WJCinBUF pic.twitter.com/8YkOa3WEj6 — IIHF (@IIHFHockey) January 5, 2018
9:47 — It's safe to say that was a dominant period for the Canadians. Breakout star Drake Batherson's magic continues as the Senators prospect has a hat trick. Yesterday, Mike Ashmore wrote about Batherson's headline-making ability both on and off the ice ---> LINK
9:45 — Canada will start the third period on the power play.
2nd period
9:44 — Canadian power play coming up.
9:38 — Goalie change klaxon. Jakub Škarek now in net for the Czechs, although I don't think any blame lies at the feet of starter Josef Kořenář.
9:37 — Canada scores! Batherson heard my poor attempt at humour and pots his third goal of the game! Canada 6-1 Czech Republic
. @Senators draftee Drake Batherson notches his 3rd of the game, and his 7th of the tournament for the 🎩🎩🎩!
🇨🇦 @HC_WJC 🇨🇦leads 6⃣-1⃣
🏒 #WorldJuniors 🇨🇦 #Sens pic.twitter.com/HmPaSAyUSA — TSN (@TSN_Sports) January 5, 2018
9:36 — It's been nine minutes without a goal, and it feels strange.
9:27 — Canada scores! The floodgates have opened and Jordan Kyrou gets in on the action. We've heard "Hey Baby!" five times already tonight... Canada 5-1 Czech Republic
9:26 — As Canada tries to finish things off in the semis, the awaiting Swedes will not be satisfied with anything but a gold medal ---> LINK
9:22 — Canada scores! A full-strength goal as Howden feeds Comtois. Canada 4-1 Czech Republic
9:20 — All three Canadian goals have come on the power play tonight.
9:18 — Canada scores! Batherson again! Another deflection off a shot from the point. Canada 3-1 Czech Republic
9:16 — Penalty to Salda for roughing after a crazy sequence in front of the Czech net that included a sliding block by a defenceman and a last-gasp stop to prevent a surefire Canada goal. The Canadians head to the power play.
9:11 — Canada survives that penalty kill.
9:09 — Zadina should have had a goal after he is wide open in front of the net, but his one timer waffles through the goalmouth and wide. Hart was beaten, but the puck stays out.
9:08 — Katchouk is called for high-sticking, and the Czechs head to the power play.
9:05 — The period is underway.
1st intermission
8:51 — Canada started slowly but really came on strong during the latter half of the period. The aggressive play by the Canadians resulted in an 11-5 shot advantage over the first 20 minutes, with Canada going 2-2 on the power play. The Czechs were 0-1 with the man advantage.
8:47 — The horn sounds with Canada up 2-1.
1st period
8:43 — Canada scores! Batherson's great tournament continues as he deflects a shot past Kořenář. Canada 2-1 Czech Republic
8:38 — Canada is heading back to the power play after Michnáč is called for cross checking.
8:36 — The goal was under review but it's confirmed. Game on.
8:34 — Canada scores! Steel hits a one-timer to tie the game up! Canada 1-1 Czech Republic
8:33 — It's Canada's turn to go on the power play now.
8:29 — Canada starting to grow into the game after starting off a bit shell shocked. The Czechs deserve credit for taking the game to the Canadians, who haven't really been challenged in this tournament.
8:25 — Canada kills off the penalty but the Czechs got two shots and hit the crossbar during the man advantage. Close call there.
8:22 — The Czechs go on the power play after Formenton is called for interference.
8:17 — This is the first time Canada has trailed at any point in the tournament.
8:16 — Czech Republic scores! Zadina pulls up inside the Canadian zone and unleashes a wrist shot. Canada 0-1 Czech Republic
8:09 — Sam Steel gets the first shot of the game just over a minute in. Kořenář with the save.
8:08 — We're underway!
Pre-game
8:04 — We're minutes from puck drop.
8:02 — Canada has the best goals for and goals against of any team in this tournament. Make no mistake, the Canadians are the favourites.
7:42 — The players are on the ice for pre-game warmups.
7:36 — Here's how Canada will line up tonight:
Just over 3⃣0⃣ minutes away from 🇨🇦🆚🇨🇿. Here's how the Canadians will line up in their semifinal... #WorldJuniors pic.twitter.com/kWWWeS0OPV — #WorldJuniors (@HC_WJC) January 5, 2018
6:43 — Oilers prospect Kailer Yamamoto had a nasty end to the USA-Sweden game
Kailer Yamamoto helped off the ice after being chopped in the back of the leg pic.twitter.com/O5xHqIRMfK — Pete Blackburn (@PeteBlackburn) January 4, 2018
6:31 — And it's Sweden who will await the winner of this game. The Swedes downed the USA 4-2 in the first semifinal.
It's over!
Sweden is on way to gold medal game at #worldjuniors2018
🇸🇪 4 - 🇺🇸 2
FULL DETAILS ▶️ https://t.co/f5FJLysdP0 pic.twitter.com/HJBPmziNg4 — Sporting News Canada (@sportingnewsca) January 4, 2018
6:25 — The Canadians are in the building.
6:10 — Good news for Canada as a crucial piece of the defence is back.
Canada vs Czech Republic WJC
Czech Republic vs. Canada live. stream. Canada will look to book its second straight trip to the World Junior Championships gold medal Game. with a semifinal matchup against Czech Republic on Thursday.
WATCH HERE LIVE HOCKEY GAME
WATCH HERE LIVE HOCKEY GAME
WATCH HERE LIVE HOCKEY GAME
WATCH HERE LIVE HOCKEY GAME
Canada leaning on preparation ahead of WJC semifinal vs. Czech Republic
Canada not buying into Czech underdog
Canada's Victor Mete to play world junior semifinal vs. Czechs
2018 World Junior Hockey Championship schedule: January 4, 2018
Canada leaning on preparation ahead of WJC semifinal vs. Czech Republic
Exam time Thursday is 8:00 p.m. ET, when Canada will try to bring an end to Czech Republic's Cinderella run at this tournament and book a berth in Friday's gold-medal Game. against either Sweden or the United States. Canada didn't practice Thursday morning, which wasn't a surprise, and only practised Wednesday
Defenceman Victor Mete will be in the lineup when Canada faces the Czech Republic on Thursday at 8 p.m. ET in the semifinal of the world junior hockey championship in Buffalo.
The Montreal Canadiens prospect missed Canada's 8-2 quarter-final win over Switzerland on Tuesday with a lower-body injury. BUFFALO, N.Y. — Underselling your team's chances against Canada is becoming a popular tactic among coaches at the world junior hockey championship.
First, Swiss coach Christian Wohlwend predicted that Canada would crush his team two days before the Canadians routed Switzerland 8-2 in the tournament's quarterfinal. Now Czech coach Filip Pesan said it would take divine intervention for his team to beat Canada.
Miracles can happen. We're going to be ready," said Pesan on Wednesday after practising at KeyBank Center.
Many of Canada's players thought that Wohlwend's criticisms of his Swiss team — the youngest at the tournament — was a ploy to motivate his players and lull the Canadians into a false sense of security. They see Pesan's declaration as more of the same.
"Another one?" said Canadian head coach Dominique Ducharme. "We're thinking about ourselves. That's not really original."
Mete had been hurt in Canada's 4-3 shootout loss to the United States on Dec. 29 and played limited minutes against Denmark on Dec. 30.
He has four assists and a plus-5 rating in 27 Game.s with the Canadiens this season. A fourth-round pick in the 2016 NHL draft, it's expected that Mete will return to the Ontario Hockey League's London Knights after the tournament. Montreal had loaned him to Hockey Canada for the world juniors.
Mete had 15 goals and 29 assists with a plus-36 rating for London last season. Although Mete missed the cut for Canada's junior team last year, he has been relied on as a veteran at this edition of the tournament because of his NHL experience.
